Chapter 21
“Let her go, Amanda.” Nolan’s voice carried the weight of steel. “Do that, and you all get
to walk out of here alive.”
Amanda’s laugh pierced my ears as she pressed the gun harder against my temple. “Oh, how noble. The guard dog thinks he can make demands.” Her finger traced the trigger. “Drop your weapon if you want to see your precious Emma take another breath.”
I watched Nolan’s jaw clench. His eyes locked with mine for a moment before he
slowly lowered his gun to the ground.
“There’s a good boy.” Amanda’s breath tickled my ear. “Now kick it over.”
The gun skidded across the concrete floor.
Nolan’s lips curved into an unexpected smile. “You know Emma, I did tell you not to sneak away from me at the mall.
Should’ve stayed close like I asked.”
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The gunshot cracked through the air. I screamed as blood bloomed across Nolan’s shoulder, staining his white shirt crimson. But his expression didn’t change – he kept smiling, as if the bullet was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
“Interesting.” Amanda’s voice held a note of curiosity. “Get on your knees. Next to that waste of space.” She jerked her head toward Ethan.
Nolan moved with fluid grace, dropping to his knees beside Ethan’s trembling form. Amanda kept one hand firmly gripped on my arm while she pulled out her phone, punching in numbers with her thumb.
“Send backup. Now.” She barked into the receiver.
Minutes stretched like hours until heavy footsteps echoed through the warehouse. Three men in dark suits burst through the door, zip ties glinting in their hands. They converged on Nolan, roughly binding his
wrists behind his back.
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Through it all, that smile never left his face.
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Amanda’s grip loosened as she shoved me back into my chair. The cold metal bit into my skin as I watched her settle across from me, that cruel smile still playing on her lips.
A hulking man in an expensive suit – Rossi’s right hand – stalked over to Nolan. His fist connected with Nolan’s jaw in a sickening. crack. Blood trickled from the corner of Nolan’s mouth, but he just laughed.
“Real brave, throwing punches at a man in zip ties.” Nolan spat blood onto the concrete. “Bet you wouldn’t be so tough if my hands were free.”
“Shut up, both of you.” Amanda’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. Her eyes locked onto mine, gleaming with malicious delight. “Let’s play a game while we wait for Adam to grace us with his presence.”
My stomach twisted as she pulled out her
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gun again, running her fingers along the barrel almost lovingly.
“Choose, Emma.” She gestured between Ethan and Nolan with the weapon. “Pick which one gets to live. Your lying, ex- fiance…” The gun pointed at Ethan, who flinched. “Or this loyal dog who’s been following you around.” She swung it toward Nolan, who remained perfectly still.
My heart hammered against my ribs. “What?”
“It’s simple really.” Amanda leaned forward, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “One bullet, two men. You decide who takes it. Choose carefully you’ll have to live with this decision.”
I looked between them- Ethan, pale and trembling, tears streaming down his face; and Nolan, still wearing that confident smile despite the blood staining his teeth. Amanda’s words echoed in my head.
Choose.
Chapter 21
“Emma, please.” Ethan’s voice cracked. “I know I messed up. God, I messed up so bad. But these past seven years weren’t a lie. I love you. We can start fresh, leave all this behind us.” His eyes brimmed with tears. “Remember our plans? The house by the lake, the garden you wanted to plant? It can still be real. Just choose me. Please, choose me and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
I turned to Nolan. Blood dripped steadily from his split lip, but his eyes held that same steady warmth I’d come to know.
“Your choice, sweetheart.” His voice was soft, gentle. “Do what feels right for you. Not for me, not for him for you.”
My mind flashed back to yesterday, about how Nolan had confessed his decade long
love to me.
I looked between them – Ethan with his desperate pleas and promises, Nolan with his quiet strength.
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“I choose Nolan.” The words came out
steady, sure.
Ethan’s face crumpled. “Emma, no-”
“I choose Nolan,” I repeated, stronger this time. “Because he’s the only one who gave me a real choice.”
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